She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 1228

Tugging lightly on the hem of his black jersey, she murmured,

"Stop acting like a child, okay?"

Preston glanced over his shoulder, his somber gaze instantly softening as it met hers.

"You think I'm acting like a child?"

"Not exactly..."

She shook her head.

"But if you two keep having a stare-down, we're never going to finish this game."

"Fair point."

He nodded in agreement.

"I'll listen to you."

Melanie let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He was surprisingly easy to manage...

Their silent standoff was infinitely more terrifying than the shouting match between Everett and Sam.

But the second she stepped out from behind his tall frame, Preston firmly wrapped his hand around her wrist.

"Mr. Sterling, you're on the wrong side of the court. You're an investor for the Lockridge Group. You belong on their roster. We're at capacity here."

Listening to the absolute authority in Preston's tone, Shawn's gaze flicked between the hand wrapped around Melanie's wrist and the unwavering expression on his rival's face.

"Angel, aren't you missing a player?"

He directed the question straight at her.

Melanie instinctually glanced at Preston before replying.

"We're fine. I already have a substitute. And... he's right. Mr. Sterling, you..."

She gestured toward the Lockridge Group.

As her eyes brushed past Dominic, his face completely lit up.

But it was a fleeting glance.

She didn't spare him a second thought.

"If you want to play, you should be on their team. You're not with us."

She offered a polite, dismissive smile.

Shawn's expression darkened.

On the surface, she was talking about the basketball teams.

That they weren't on the same side.

But he refused to consider the deeper, more painful implication of her words.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify